Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 288So, in this book there is a group of three friends (Mac, Coco, and Becks) and they are 8th graders so they're about 12 years old and they live in Hollywood. All of the girls parents are rich executives or agents, so the girls often name drop about stars and fashion labels and up scale stores. (Think Reese Witherspoon, Louis Vuitton, and Fred Segal)Mac, Coco, and Becks are the most popular girls at their school Bel-Air Middle School (commonly referred to as BAMS throughout the book) So they sometimes act stuck up but it's actually very occasional which I really liked. Anyways, there's a position that Mac (the leader of the group) is vying for called the Social Chair. Essentially the Social Chair makes all the decisions for the school and it's really like a popularity contest.Mac thinks she has the votes in the bag for the position, but then another girl (Ruby) comes back over the summer from looking like a loser to a hottie. She is also now vying for the Social Chair position and Mac feels that she isn't talented at anything and needs to come up with an idea to prove she has talent so her fellow peers will elect her for this Social Chair position.Mac decides to try to become an agent just like her mom and discovers Emily, who is visiting from Iowa with her mom and best friend Paige (eep! That's me! Hahaha!). Emily proves that she can truly act and Mac attempts to land her a role in the newest movie with Emily's celebrity crush Davey.The story goes on through the twists and turns of the four girls' adventure of trying to land Emily this role. Coco and Becks also have smaller side stories that tie into the plot which are also enjoyable to read about. The ending was a little predictable but in a good way! Also, kind of a cliff-hanger ending so I can't wait to start the next book in this three part series. I seriously loved this book. It was SO good! I love these trashy books where 12-year-olds try to act like their 20 and I adore all the name dropping of the fashion designers and stars.The one thing that kind of irked me was how quickly Emily's supposed BFF Paige was dropped so quickly. Emily goes off to hang out with Mac, Coco, and Becks and Paige first off hardly even cares and Emily barely gives Paige a backward glance. (It was originally Paige who wanted to come to L.A. to become a star and now her friend stole that from her and she's being supportive? What!? I would've been furious! Maybe that's just me though...)It was also a really quick read and since the story does take place in the summer I can imagine reading this by the pool or at the beach in the summertime. I believe the next book takes place when the girls are actually in school so we will see if Mac is able to become Social Chair! I can't wait!See you soon!-Paige

I haven't done a Tag in awhile and I think they're a cute way for you guys to get to know a little more about me! (This tag is explained really well here!)Question 1: What's your favorite word?...You're asking a reader what their favorite word is? This one was really hard for me to choose but I have to say LOVE. It's so powerful and it changes people in so many ways and can be interpreted into so many things :) Spread the love!Question 2: What's your least favorite word?Haters. Not the word hate but the word haters. It's just disgusting, also I don't like the meaning of that word.Question 3: What's a sound or noise that you like?High heels clacking on wooden floors. I know I'm weird. Also pages in a book being flipped quickly, like when you hold the spine and let the pages flow through your hands? Love that! Question 4: What's a sound or noise that you don't like?People breathing. Annoys me to no end.Question 5: What is your favorite curse word?Errr....I don't know!Question 6: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?Well I'm aspiring to be a book editor, so other than that I'd LOVE to work for a fashion magazine or fashion something. Intern for a designer, whatever! Just something to do with fashion.Question 7: What profession would you not like to attempt?Anything involving blood (i.e. doctor's, nurses, vampires?)Question 8: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?"Welcome to Heaven. Please read as much as you like and you're a teenager forever!Well, hope you liked it!See you soon!-Paige

Hello everyone! Hope all is well with you!
I decided to lower my Reading Challenge for 2012. I had a wake up call and realized there's simply not enough time for me to read one book every day! So I'm the count to 150! By the time summer rolls around I might increase it by another 50 depending on how I'm progressing, but we'll see!
Hope all your reading challenges are going well!
See you soon!
-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 215(I love how squat and square these books are!)This was a really good sequel to the first book. Tons of action and there was more romance integrated into this book!As I was reading through one part of the book, I felt that Heaven was beginning to become a little whiny but then again, her brother had been killed and she had been attacked multiple times. I got over that thought pretty quickly. The story plot seemed a tiny bit repetitive. There was various small fighting scenes, which lead to the main focus of a large fight at the end of the story. (Same as the first book.)I did like how this book focused less on her parents and more on other kids or adults(?) around her age. More of the people she knew.I don't think I will be reading the next books in the series because I've sort of lost interest for the series because it was a bit repetitive. I really like how more and more of the entire story develops over the course of the books. It doesn't feel like it's just being made up as it goes along but that it's been strategically plotted out to avoid plot holes.Great book! I give this the Paige-Turner stamp of approval! Check it out!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 335Let me just start by saying that this book is a dystopian novel. If I hadn't known that going in I don't think I would have really noticed. I wish there had been more development with the world/setting to make it seem more futuristic. There was one point where they were in an antique shop and there were iPods, but that was pretty much it.The book was great! It was a little tough getting into it but it became extremely intense towards the end and I couldn't put it down!The ending was a total surprise and I loved how the story kept going until the very last second. However, the drawback to this was that the beginning was a bit confusing. The war that lead to "unwinding" I felt wasn't described enough and that's what caused most of my confusion.Apparently there's going to be another book after this one, and I could see how that would work, but it could also just stay as a stand-alone if you didn't feel so inclined to read the next one. If I had to rate this out of 5 stars I would give it a 3 but it is a Paige-Turner! (Literally!)Don't you just love the cover too? It's awesomely creepy!So, if you like tons of action and a slight dystopian take, then I would say pick this up!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 97So we just finished reading this book er..play in school and I loved it! The ending was a total surprise and I felt really sad!! Can I admit that I teared up a little on the inside?Anyways, I had my doubts going into this because we had to read it in school, but of course I was the odd child out who sat there the entire class period and read ahead while everyone else was still on scene one. It is sort of slow to get into but the ending is totally worth it. The conclusion makes this story the great piece of literature that it is.I love the time period that it's set in too! (1944) It's beautifully written, easy to read, and so much fun to read too. Our main characters all bounce off each other with their different quirks and gimmicks. For example, Tom, our narrator, is calm and cool. Icy cool if you must. His sister Laura is a quiet, shy, and fanatic of glass miniatures. Their mother Amanda is loud, boisterous, and so much fun to hate. And of course the gentleman caller Jim is the suave and sexy boy that every tale needs.Actually, not a lot of people in my class liked it because they thought it was boring, but I loved it! I would say check it out to broaden your view of plays and to become more educated. It's quick and easy to read like I said!See you soon!-PaigeP.S. Again sorry for not posting in a while. I've been so busy and I'm almost finished reading my next book! See you soon!

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 260This book is amazing. Simply amazing. I loved the characters and all their quirks and flaws and the setting (gotta love New York!) Also they reference The Strand a lot (which is where I plan to go one day when I visit New York again.) If you don't know what The Strand is then you're not a true book lover. Sorry!I don't think I've ever laughed so hard over a book. This book is incredibly funny. Especially in the beginning. Normally, I don't share what I'm reading with people but I just had to read a couple passages to my family because they were so funny.Despite all the random quirks and funks of the characters I could really relate to them! This was really cool because after awhile you wish you were Dash or Lily and that you had someone that you could swap a notebook with.The entire story pulls at your heartstrings and you are rooting for the characters at the very beginning. This book also took a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which was great!As usual, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have a very refreshing use of dialog and language which really appeals to teens. (Did you know that Ms. Cohn wrote Lily's chapters and Mr. Levithan wrote Dash's? Isn't that too cool, and then they switched back and forth? Brilliant.)This is going on my Favorites Shelf and as you can already tell it's a Paige-Turner. I can't wait to read Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist next.See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 270So this was a free book that I found in the Amazon store for my Kindle and I had really high hopes for it. I really had hoped this ebook was going to be a quick short fun romance read about vampires but I only got through 63% of the book. (On Kindle ebooks, there isn't page numbers just percentages.)I really tried to get through this book. I would put it down for awhile and then come back, but I just got more and more disinterested and I finally realized that I can't be wasting my time trying to read this when I have other books I need to read. Also, I didn't feel to bad about tossing this ebook it the electronic garbage because it was, after all, free. A couple of reasons why I didn't like it:The language. There wasn't cursing but the characters tried to use language that is apparently "cool" these days but it came off fake and I couldn't relate to it.The characters themselves. I hated ALL of them!!! They didn't connect with me and they all had pesky habits that I could not stand.The action. Wait. What action? This book could be 100 times better if the story was sped up, the action heightened, and a bunch of crap left out. I hated how this story dragged on and on.So, this does not get a Paige-Turn for me. If any one's interested though I think it's a trilogy on the Kindle and the other books are $3.See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 214When I saw this book in my used bookstore I HAD to pick it up. I had read the back and I remembered watching a miniseries called Samurai Girl on ABC Family 2 or 3 years ago and this book is what that little series was based off of! (There's an entire series of like 6 books I found out!) So I grabbed the first two in the series because they were there and I might order the rest later.Anyways, the first book was great! The point of view is through Heaven, but you also get little snippets of other characters diaries or thoughts which is really beneficial to the story. There's also really cool illustrations throughout the book. Normally, I don't really notice illustrations but these were really nice and they flowed with the story.I love books like these that take place in the early 2000's because it was a time I remember growing up in and it's cool to have them describe bands and clothing styles that were popular at the time. (Leather pants and Backstreet Boys anyone?) It's just cool to kinda reminisce.Tons of action and a little romance but I actually liked the action better in this book. Normally I'm a romance girl, but I just loved all the fighting and sword-play! I also really liked how they incorporated the Japanese culture and how Heaven has to cope with being in America and not understanding all our ways and crazy sayings. I can't wait for the next book and this is a definite Paige-Turner!!!See you soon!-PaigeP.S. Sorry I didn't post anything in awhile, I'm having finals this week and I've been studying like crazy!

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 218Out of all the OUT books that I've read, this is my least favorite. It wasn't as predictable as the others but it was so confusing in the beginning!The character names confused me so I didn't know who was who, and it wasn't until the end of the story that I started recognizing which character was which, when they were talked about. I also was confused by the line of events. Other stories are interwoven into some chapters and that really confused me because I wasn't sure what was real life and what wasn't for the first few stories. It was a good book, but I think at least a character list would have really helped me out a lot. This is a retelling of The Arabian Knights or A Thousand and One Nights and I've never read that, so that could be why it was so confusing but still. It's never pleasant to not understand what's going on in a story.I won't be giving this book a Paige-Turn but I might later if I go back and read it at a later date.See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 227This is definitely going on my Favorites Shelf, and mind you very, very few books make it there. I loved this book!! I loved the modern day twist with prom, I loved the way the story was tweaked for modern times too (sending emails instead of letters, riding in taxi's instead of carriages, etc.) and the whole light feel of the story was really cute.All of the characters from the original Pride and Prejudice were in the story at least once. Some didn't have as big of roles as they did in the original (mainly Mary and Kitty). What I really loved about this book was as you read it you would think, "How are they going to incorporate modern times to this part of the story, or that part?" and it was interesting to see how Elizabeth Eulberg did it.Also, the book really sucks you in. For example I was reading in class one day and I didn't realize how much time had passed and you become so immersed in the story that your brain blocks out the outside, real, world!The story is really well written and even if you haven't read Pride and Prejudice but you've at least seen the movie this book will make you laugh and smile all the way through.Definite Paige-Turn! I loved this book so much!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 230*Insert sigh of happy content here*...That's the reaction I had when I finished this book. It was such a cute love story that had a ton of action from the get-go!I was actually surprised how much action and fighting there was in this story but it totally worked and I loved every minute of it! Think of this book as Pirates of the Caribbean but amplify the romance by 75%Such a good book!!! I loved that the main character, Anna, was a captain of her own ship, because that was unheard of during those times. (About 1720)Typical, chick lit teen book but it was so good! I totally give this a Paige-Turn and if you like books by Rachel Hawthorne or Kate Brian you will LOVE this book!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 268This is the fourth Susane Colasanti book I've read and I just love her writing style! It's so blunt, but also funny and really captures the feelings of teenagers!This specific story was really cute, but I did think the ending was going to be a little more dramatic. I felt like it could have been more shocking or...something!It was just sort of what I predicted so maybe I'm too good of a predictor? It was a great story I just felt the ending was sort of weak...I actually plowed through this book really easily because it was such a short and fun read. There could have been a teeny tiny bit more character development for some of them, but overall it was a nice light read!I would give this a Paige-Turn and I look forward to reading another one of Susane Colasanti's books! See you soon!-PaigeP.S. Did you know that an average American reads 6 books in a year and will read about 412 in their lifetime? I found that out today and the low numbers really shocked me!

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 259I thought I had done a review on this book, but apparently I didn't! Probably because I read this before I started this blog.This was the first Once Upon a Time retelling book that I read, and as you might have been able to tell from the title, it's a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's.This is most likely my favorite OUT (Once Upon a Time) retelling. Maybe it because it was the first I had read? I'm not sure but no matter this was so good!The story doesn't have the 7 dwarf's in it, but she does eventually meet up with a band of small animal/human crossbreeds. However, there is of course the evil witch, just like in any classic retelling.The twist that was given for this fairy tale was really interesting! I just love how the stories don't ruin the originals either. That's what I was most afraid of when I started reading the OUT series, but that doesn't happen at all!Of course, I give this a Paige-Turn and I can't wait to start reading more of these!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!Number of pages: 245This is the fourth book I've read in the Once Upon a Time retelling series and it was just as good as the other one's I've read! This is the retelling of "The White Bride and the Black Bride" and I had actually never heard of that fairy tale so I looked it up here. This retelling wasn't as predictable as the other stories that I've read, especially near the end. I was really surprised about that and it could have to do with the fact that this is a lesser known fairy tale so many people may not know the outcome.The way that this book is written is so beautiful. The description of all the flowing dresses and beautiful roses is just amazing. It really sucks you into the story and makes you feel like you're there.Some of the characters also speak sporadic French throughout the story. You may have to look up some words or phrases (I did not because I've taken 2 French classes!) The words are really basic though, like please, thank you, bonjour, and the like.Overall a great read! I wholeheartedly give this a Paige-Turn and I can't wait to start reading more of the series!!See you soon!-Paige

Read a synopsis here!(I'm not going to do the how much it cost me anymore because you can check that out on my hauls tab)Number of pages: 230Wow, wow, wow is all I can say about this book. Going into it I didn't like the style of the story but after the first like 30 pages I was in love. I felt extremely attached to this book because it was sort of personal for me. (I have a guy best friend-HE'S NOT GAY-and I don't know their relationship really reminded me of him.) Anyways, the story totally sucks you in and you can't stop reading. If I was reading this really late I would say to myself, okay go to bed now and I would put the book down, only to find myself picking it right back up to read one more chapter.The characters are so real that it's a little frightening. Normally in a story the writing isn't as point-blank as in this book but it totally worked. The realness of the story made it so much more believable and relatable.I also love the changing point of views not only from Naomi and Ely but also a string of other secondary characters. And all of them have their own style which is just awesome. Definitely a Paige-Turn and this is going on my favorite's shelf in my room. I would recommend this to anyone because I feel a lot of people can relate to it in some way or another. I seriously can't tell you how awesome this book is! Just go get it yourself!See you soon!-Paige

Okay wow this month is a huge book haul! Let's get started!!Scholastic Warehouse:
Okay before I tell you what books I got let me explain something. The Scholastic Warehouse is literally a warehouse where Scholastic stores all their books and every half a year, teachers, librarians, and the general public (although it's really meant for teachers and librarians) can go in and buy books for half price! A great deal right!? I know! I used to go more when I was little but this is the first time I've gone in awhile. Most books were half price but the recently released books were like 20% or 30% off I think. Also they have discount books too. Anyways here's what I got:Crossed by Ally Condie: $13.50 (Normally $17.99) (hardcover)The Maze Runner by James Dashner: $5.00 (Normally $9.99)The Scorch Trials by James Dashner: $7.50 (Normally $9.99)Unwind by Neal Shusterman: $4.50 (Normally $8.99)Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith: $3.00 (Normally $8.99)The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: $6.50 (Normally $12.99)Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti: $6.75 (Normally $8.99)Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender: $3.50 (Normally $6.99)The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins $6.75 (Normally $9.99)The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink: $4.00 (Normally $7.99)Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter: $4.50 (Normally $8.99)Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn: $3.50 (Normally $6.99)Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly: $5.00 (Normally $9.99)Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulburg: $3.50 (Normally $6.99)North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley: $4.50 (Normally $8.99)Hunger by Michael Grant: $5.00 (Normally $9.99)The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer: $4.00 (Normally $7.99)This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer: $4.50 (Normally $8.99)PaperBackSwap.com:
All of these were free of course!Bookmarked for Death by Lorna BarrettBookplate Special by Lorna BarrettWould I Lie to You by Cecily von ZiegesarUsed Bookstore:
All books from my used bookstore are half priced!Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett: $4.00 (Normally $7.99)Snow Queen by Emma Harrison: $3.00 (Normally $5.99)Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan: $4.50 (Normally $8.99)Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword by Carrie Asai: $3.50 (Normally $6.99)Samurai Girl: The Book of the Shadow by Carrie Asai: $3.50 (Normally $6.99)Christmas gifts:
I didn't actually ask for that many books but I did ask for giftcards and stuff so here's what I got!Gone by Michael GrantLife As We Knew It by Susan Beth PfefferThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (hardcover)Marked by P. C. and Kristen Cast (hardcover)The Daughters Take the Stage by Joanna Philbin
I also got a Kindle!! Yay! So I got $75 in giftcards for the Kindle store and $50 in giftcards for Barnes and Noble!
Overall, I'm very thankful and this is in no way bragging. Hope everyone had a wonderful December and I'll see you on the first of February for next month's haul! Happy New Year!
-Paige

Read a synopsis here!How much it cost me: $4.00 (used bookstore)Retail price: $7.99Number of pages: 324I have to say I was again, a little disappointed with this book. I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the series when it comes out because it's just not original anymore. All the ways that she solves the murders are pretty much the same. The murders themselves are different but the solving is just dragged out for sooo long that half way through the book I find myself losing interest. The characters need to become a little more original too. Have an exciting development! Everything that happens I'm kinda like eh whatever they'll get over it. I don't feel attached to them at all anymore. The main character moped and whined in this book a little more than I liked too.I wouldn't give this book a Paige Turn. Too boring for my tastes. Maybe the first couple were good because it was a new idea and a new series but now I'm over it. The next book comes out in March I believe if any one's interested but you won't be seeing me buying it.See you soon!-PaigeP.S. Happy New Year!! I've started my 2012 Book Challenge through Good Reads! I'm trying to read 500 books this year! 1 down, 499 more to go!